Page:The Newspaper and the Historian.djvu/417



ments.44 False stories were circulated in regard to the American

Transatlantic Line and an announcement was made by ad vertisement of a reward of $ 10,000 for the conviction of the

offenders.45 Long advertisements have been used to acquaint the public with the absolute acquittal by the courts of persons who had been wrongly accused .46

Industrial firms announce to the public that agreements satis factory to both parties have been reached and that strikers have voted to return to work. Others make the announcement that they are inaugurating a system of group life insurance for all connected with the company both on the selling and on the

manufacturing sides.47

The Packard Motor Car Company believed that its position in regard to the payment of its employees during absence on military duty had been misstated by a Detroit daily in a leading

article and a leading editorial. It, therefore, published an elabo rate advertisement containing the original order issued by the directors of the company, stating fully its position, giving in detail its own contributions to the patriotic movement, and showing the trade sacrifices made in order to give preference to

Government orders.48 The Central Hudson Gas and Electric Company used the ad vertisement to explain to its customers that an exceptionally severe storm had so damaged its power station as to make it advisable to avoid the risk of further damage by withdrawing

its service for less than two hours on the previous day. The

nature of the accident was described in detail and regret expressed for the inconvenience caused .49 Announcement of a coming shortage of coal was made by ad

vertisement as was the later welcome news that anthracite coal was available for all purposes in any quantity,50 and also the 44 New York Tribune, August 9, 1917. 45 New York Evening Post, May 11, 1917.

46 New York Tribune, November 14, 1918; New York Times, March 17, 1919.

47 Daily press, June 13, 1919. 48 New York Tribune, July 30, 1916. 49 Poughkeepsie Eagle-News, July 14, 1916. 50 February,